The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-17

tno City w outeln Ruarhnteo iuhu VI
$4,000, should the proposed exbibi-
ton not pay expentes. The following
public spirited gentlemen agreed to
guarantee 500 each, provided the full
$4,000 was subscribed for:
kb F SSJ,;S ac0 . Pa pa P:snn Co
AT Harris VIM X Moore a Co
70 Craig AGO Gsrhsry 4 Casey
sH Brooks gp ff.st&Co
DIX Myers w eorsuch. 4 Trezsya.t
Thos d Alien 4 Co sbsrrsrd. Gwyn 1 Co
John A Denie VIM FLOYD
WI Taylor CIV goyer GO,
HILL F0n'sps &c ,s Fy a'sTS CO. h0''0n
Iregret to state the committee did not
meet with that success 1t had a reason
able right to expect, for some time
there has been q growing desire to
advertise Memphis and inv te capital
ists, manufactures and immigrants to
locate here, and what better plan can
We adopt than an exhibition OF our
resources2 Ses what the exposition
OF London did for the commerce OF
Eogland, Paris for France, Pbiladel-
phis for the North, Atlanta and New
Orleans for the South, ard nearly
every erterprising city and village has
It's annual fair. Look at our neighbors
10 every direction, Louisville, st.
Louis, Little Rock, Greenville, Helena,
Kerrvilie. Yet what city has nobler
record during the prst eight years than
MemphiA2 Let us 20 bacx TO the dark
days OF 1873 and 1879. We rec cit,
stricken by the yellow fever plsgue,
and In fifteen months It's population
reduced by death and emigration
from 10000 to 33 roo, business entirely
Suspended, real estate unstable, the
city treasury bankrupt and owing over
S6000,O00, and no sssete to show for
Il; police, fifemen and city officers I'M.
paid, and declared by the health
authorities the most uusanit.ry city
In the country, and openly
discussed In the public press
the destruction Of the entire
city In order TO preserve the health OF
America.
Such was the condition OF Memphis
In the fall OF 1879, when our citizsns
returned broken in fortune and death
q visitor In nearly every household.
After long and earnest consultation
the city charter was given up and the
Taxing District formed and simple
form OF government created and d..
Porter chosen the frst president. The
new city government Immediately
commenced TO place the city In first
class sanitary condition, but 90 much
opposition was shown that DR.. Porter
deepairing OF success, placed bis resig
nation In the hands OF the Governor
of the sts'e. The city was thoroughly
aroused and q public meeting was
called. The old Greenlav Opera
House was packed from pit u
dome with representative men Of the
city. Many OF US can recall the scsn,
when Mr.. Clapp assembled the platform
and made one Of the most eloquent
sreeches ever heard in the city. Amids
the most profound silence he stated
"Tonight is the turning point for thu
future fate OF Memphis; the eyes o
our countrymen are upon rs; taxi
one step backward aud We are lost
support cur new city government; W,
will :have our tiAls, but a splendid
future awaits our city" Th,
meeting was unanimous In its support
DIR. Porter was called back, publi
improvements were vigorously pushe'
forward, an entirely new system o
sewerage was constructed, new road
built, the city debt satisfactorily nd
iusted ard placed on q satisfsctor.
basis, public confidence revived sn'
the city began 10 grow in every direc
ton. After placing the new govern
ment on q firm foundation DR.. Porter
tired with the cares Of public bust
ness, retired into private life, carryin
with him the rtepec,, esteem and nj
lection OF his fellow townsmep. an,
David Hadden was chosen bis worth!
successor, aud who hiss honestly an,
intelligently continued the good worl
up 10 this date.
Contrast the city In 1879 and today
In 1879 the city vas unfit Tor habits
ton, three fourths Of our citlsens wer
refugees and wanderers without
homo and the balance appealing 4
the charity Of cur countrymen 10 ek
out a miserable existence. To-day VI
have the cltanest, beAlthiest and moe
prosperous city In the United States
In 1870 We bad 5000 inhabitants; 10
day we have 75,0O0-a yearly gain o
GOO. So long a. the city Of Mem
mis- stands II will owe q debt Q
gratitude which Il can never n
nav 10 every member OF the cit
government tor Their good work, whe
they are dead aud gone. A siatel
monument should be erected In Oou'
Square 10 honor their memory and OF
courage their succ sssors 10 follow !
their footsteps. 800. =.
Never In the history Of Memphl
has there been such q promise for
snlendid business teNon M there wi
Ia this fall, and We desire 10 have q
Agricultural and mechanical exhib
Ion. allowing the products and mani
isetures Of the Mississippi Valley an
invite those seekirg new homes 70 Il
ss,a among us We have no gran
sInosiiion building. Let the city }
the exposition and our ci!iEens u
committee 10 organB and run
aTbere 10 q tide In the shairs Of maj
yhIoh taken at the A1ot leads on
fortune" That tide has arrived 4
MempbIs. Gentlemen OF the laxin
DsrIct Government, this 10 due
your honept and intelligent work. Il
your Official proclamation 20 forth
avery State and city In the unlol
State the condition In xhlcs Y
found the city and lie condition 'oaa
Set down nothing 10 malice, n
nothing eIlsnua.e. Let u be knos
that Memphis is once mo %
heneli again, return our ~ y,
seTe and grateful thanks 70 o
counlrymen for their generosity dui a
the time Of our distress, and inVi
them All 10 come and rejoice witn
In our prosperity. Bet apan : We
In October for business luphee n.
thanksgiving for our. prosperity, II II